Method of marking coal



G. W. R.TONGUE Feb. 19 1924. 1,483,996

METHOD OF MARKING COAL Filed June 14-. 1922 arm? 7%??? BY 7 m/ ATTOR EY tem lates the use of small, inflammable Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

mE'rnon or MARKING COAL.

Application filed June 14, 1922. Serial No. 568,264.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GORDON WALTER Ronnn'r ToNeUE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Seattle, county of King, and State of Washin ton, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Methods of Marking Goal, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a method of marking coal for purposes of identification. More particularl the invention relates to a method of markmg coal, in order that the consumer may know its kind or grade, and detect any fraud or deception on the part of unscrupulous coal retailers in the delivery of coal.

Here-to-fore it has been practically impossible for the consumer to identify diferent grades of coal, and frequently coal retailers who are inclined to-be, or are, without principle will deliver a cheaper or a different grade of coal than the unsuspecting consumer orders. This practise is unjust, not only to the consumer but also acts as a detriment to the coal producer from whom the retailer obtains his supply, since, if the consumer is dissatisfied with the results ob tained from the coal that is delivered to him, his dissatisfaction is directed against that particular kind of coal that he believes he has been using and this finally acts in a detrimental manner to the producer.

It is therefore, the object of this invention to provide a method and means whereby the producer of coal may mark his product in such manner that the consumer will be able to identify it as to kind and grade.

A further object of the invention resides in a method and means of marking which will, in no way, interferewith the thermal efliciency of the coal.

Referring to the accompanying drawing Figure 1 re resents a bin of coal wherein identifying b ocks of the present character are used.

Figure 2 is a rspective view of different kinds of identi in blocks.

Referring to t e drawing more in detail- 1 designates a bin of coal and 2 identifying blocks that will mix. with the coal.

The present method of marking coal conbloc preferably of wood, and colored so that they may be easily seen when mixed with coal. Ordinarily, the blocks would be about one-inch square and would be colored green, red or other colors that contrast with the color of coal blocks of other shapes as indicated at 2 2 and 2 in Figure 2, may be used. These blocks would be mixed with the coal as it is delivered from the mines, and certain kinds, shapes, or colors of blocks would be used to identify certain kinds and grades of coal.

After a certain amount of publicity had been iven to this method of marking coal for the purpose of identification, a consumer, after ordering a certain kind of coal, would undoubtedly look for the identifying blocks and, if he failed to find them, he would know that deceit had been practised upon him. I

'It is readily a parent that wooden blocks, being inflammab e, will in no way interfere with the proper burning of the coal, but will, if an hing, add to its inflammability.

It is rea il apparent, also, that with these blocks mixe profusely with the coal it would be practically impossible for retai ers to deceive their customers and this will act as a protection to the producer as well as to theconsumer. If it is so desired, the producer may mark the blocks with the name and grade of the coal, so that the consumer will know the grade and kind of coal which he is using and the place where it is produced.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An article of manufacture, a self-id entifying coal, comprising inflammable articles 1 of, predetermined characteristics mixed with the coal. 2. A method of marking coal for purposes of identification which. consists ofmixing with the coal smallinfiammable objects of pre-determined or designated shapes.

3. The method grades or kinds of coal for purposes of identification which consists of mixing with the different grades or kinds of coal inflammable. blocks of different color.

Signed at Seattle, -Wash ington, this 9th of marking different. 

